Se ssio n 3

Lessons From the Ombudsman

Debra Wiley
 What is the FSA
Ombudsman?
om·buds·man
Pronunciation: 'äm-"budz-man; noun
Etymology: Swedish, literally, representative, from Old
Norse umbothsmathr, from umboth commission + mathr
man
1 : a government official (as in Sweden or New
Zealand) appointed to receive and investigate
complaints made by individuals against abuses or
capricious acts of public officials
2 : one that investigates reported complaints (as from
students or consumers), reports findings, and helps to
achieve equitable settlements

Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com
 The Opport unity
to --

Open communication
channels
Offer other
perspectives
Organize details
Outline options
Overtly collaborate
Optimize outcomes
 What Do We (and You!) Do?
 Identify the issues/concerns
 Listen – to both sides of the story
 Research – find factual information
 Document – contacts, activities, & findings
 Develop – options for resolution
 Finalize – outcomes
 What’s the Case Process?

Initial Secondary Analysis Identifying

Intake Intake Options Closure
 What does the Customer Expect?

Thorough
Problem research Frequent
resolution communication

Contextual Accurate
explanations Impartial detailed
review information
 What does the
Customer Want?
 Customer Satisfaction
– Psychological: The customer feels listened to
and respected.
– Substantive: Comprehensive, contextual and
fair-minded consideration of options available.
– Procedural: Consistent, thorough research of
facts and documentation.
 What ar e t he Top Issues for
General Assi stance C ases?
“General Assistance” cases increased by 173% between
FY2000 and FY2003.

FY 2000 = 5,268 FY 2003 = 14,409

Top Five Issues for General Assistance Cases:

General assistance cases are one-issue inquiries that can be completed while the customer is on the call
or within 24-hours.

FY 00 FY 03
FSA Assistance FSA Assistance
Default Account Balance
Service Quality Loan Cancellation/Discharge
Loan Cancellation/Discharge Consolidation
Account Balance Repayment Plans/Amounts
 What ar e t he Top Issues for
Resear ch P robl em Cases?
“Research Problem” cases increased by 41.17% between
FY 2000 and FY 2003.

FY 2000 = 2,565 FY 2003 = 3,621

Top Five Issues for Research Cases:
These cases involve multiple issues. An Ombudsman Specialist works with the borrower, lender, schools, and
other parties to gather the facts, establish a common understanding of the problem, and identify solutions.

FY 00 FY 03
Service Quality Loan Cancellation/Discharge
Default Account Balance
Loan Cancellation/Discharge Repayment Plans/Amounts
Account Balance Consolidation
Tax Refund/Offset Default
 What Problem
Underlies most
Cas es?

Communication??
 Failure to listen
 One-sided communication
 Communication gaps
 Not knowing the question to ask
 Not answering the question asked
What do you see?
 Ombuds Lessons
Telling them they owe doesn’t work…..SHOW
THEM (through an example to which they can relate).

Students expect us to know everything …especially

everything about them (They also expect us to care).

There are many right ways and right times. Keep

the message consistent at the core and expand as
context requires. It is the context that creates the
“AHA” moment.
 Ombuds Lessons
Expect good intentions (Everyone wants to
solve this problem).

If the story hasn’t changed in 20 years, it is

probably worth listening to……most people
cannot maintain a “fiction of facts” for that long.

Tend to the small stuff…..so you don’t have to

sweat it. Many of the cases that we see could
have been prevented with a moment to
consider the customer’s perspective.
 Ombuds Lessons

Remember the human element.

Think beyond the surface. What is the

customer trying to accomplish?

Keep it personal; don’t take it personally.

 Ombuds Lessons

Don’t fight about it; fix it.

It’s not about who’s right,

it’s about doing the right thing!
 Ombuds Lessons

Tell others what you learn and let them

act for their population….

Questions?
 To Cont act Us:

We appreciate your feedback and comments.

Toll-free: 1-877-557-2575
Toll: (202) 377-3800
Fax: (202) 275-0549
Email: fsaombudsmanoffice@ed.gov
Internet: ombudsman.ed.gov